Meaning of Patakha Guddi: The Free Soul and the Divine
Composed by the legendary A.R. Rahman with deeply spiritual Punjabi lyrics by Irshad Kamil, ‘Patakha Guddi’ is an energetic, high-spirited Sufi track. Sung with unmatched rustic power by the Nooran Sisters, the song uses the vibrant metaphor of a ‘firecracker kite’ (patakha guddi) cutting through the open sky. It depicts a fiercely independent soul breaking free from worldly societal expectations, completely trusting its flight to the ultimate string-holder: the Divine (Ali).
Irshad Kamil‘s best songs are almost borderline hymns (Kun Faya Kun & Illahi come to mind). Patakha Guddi falls right in that category. Here is a song that talks about this girl (the protagonist in ‘Highway’) but is worded so beautifully it talks about her in relationship with god.
The more I understand the song and its intention, the more I admire the thought process that went to writing it. Irshad Kamil is slowly but surely becoming one of my all time favorite lyricists.
Movie: Highway
Lyrics: Irshad Kamil
Music: A R Rahman
Singers: Sultan Nooran & Jyoti Nooran
| Hindi / Romanized | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Haan… mitthe paan di gilory, Lattha suit da lahori, Fatte maarti Phillauri, Jugni mel mel ke, kood phaand ke, Chakk chakaudde jaave… | (You are like) A Mouthful of sweetened paan, Wearing a Lahori Cotton Suit, Strong as the woods of Phillaur, The Firefly(girl) is leaping, swinging, jumping, Fearlessly moving… |
| Maula tera maali O hariyaali jungle waali, Tu de har gaali pe taali Uski kadam kadam rakhwaali, Ainve lok-laaj ki soojh soch ki kyun hai aafat daali Tu le naam rab da, naam saai ka Ali Ali Ali Ali | God is your gardener O greenery of wilderness, You laugh at every misfortune as he(God) is taking care of you every step of the way, Why worry mindlessly thinking about (social) rights and wrongs, Chant the name of God, name of the Lord, |
| Ali Ali Ali Ali Sharf khuda ka, zarf khuda ka, Ali Ali Ali… (Ali ho, Ali ho) Chali o re chali, chali, chali O Ali Ali, teri gali, wo to chali, Ali Ali, teri gali, chali o.. | Honour of God, the Wisdom of God, Ali Ali Ali… She comes, comes to your lane, O Lord, Your lane, she comes now… |
| O Jugni O, Patakha guddi O, Nashe mein ud jaaye re haaye re Sajje khabbe dhabbe killi ho, | O Firefly, O Fiery(like a firecracker) Kite, Intoxicated… she flies, All over the place… she flies |
| Maine to tere tere utte chhaddiyaan doreyaan, Maine to tere tere utte chhaddiyaan doreyaan, | (O Lord) I am giving my reins to you (O Lord) I am leaving everything on you |
| Tu toh paak rab da baanka bachha, Raj dulara tu hi, Paak rab da baanka bachha, Uska pyaara tu hi Maalik ne jo chinta di toh, Door karega wo hi Naam ali ka leke tu to hooo Naach le gali gali le naam ali ali Naach gali gali le naam ali ali | You are the innocent kid of the Pious God, The dearest to his royalty… Innocent kid of the Pious God, You are his beloved child, The worries that God has given, He only will take them away… Chanting name of Lord, Dance in streets, Chant Ali Ali, Dance in streets, Chant Ali Ali… |
| Jugni rukh peepal ka hoi, Jisko pooje ta har koi, Jisdi fasal kisi na boyi Ghar bhi rakh sake na koi… | The Girl has become like the Peepal (tree), Everyone worships you, But no one ever sows your seeds, And no one can arrest you at home… |
| Rasta naap rahi marjaani, Patthi baarish da hai paani, Jab nazdeek jahaan de aani, Jugni maili si ho jaani.. | Treading the roads fearlessly, She is akin to rain water, When she comes near the real world, She becomes a little dirty.. |
| Le ke naam rab da Ali Ali, Jhall khaleran chali, Naam rab da Ali Ali, Har darwaaja Ali… | Chanting the name of Lord, Ali Ali, She goes mad with ecstasy, Saying the name of Lord, Ali Ali, At each Door, Ali Ali… |
| Saayin re… Sai Re.. Maine to tere tere, utte chhaddiyan doriyaan.. | O Lord… O Almighty, I am giving my reins to you… |